Abstract

Learning Outcomes

This case study explores the strategic transformation of a social enterprise through opportunity recognition and venture creation. It aims to help students understand how mission-driven organizations can develop sustainable business models while addressing operational challenges. Students will analyze the entrepreneurial decision-making process, particularly in diversifying agricultural ventures such as dragon fruit and passion fruit farming. They will evaluate the risks and constraints of scaling social enterprises, including resource limitations, environmental challenges, and community engagement. Additionally, the case highlights the importance of stakeholder management and innovative problem-solving in ensuring the long-term success of a socially driven agribusiness.

Case Synopsis

The Nazareth Sisters of Annunciation is a women’s religious congregation founded by the late Rt. Rev Larence Victor Bessone, the first Bishop of the Meru Diocese in December 1955. The congregation was founded to ‘proclaim and witness to God’s love by empowering women, youth, and children, especially the less fortunate ones’. The Nazareth Sisters of Annunciation have been farming since 2016. The congregation owned two large pieces of land in Meru, one in Ndekeo and another in Luiri. The sisters were contemplating expanding their animal husbandry project to a ranch to rear animals on Luiri farm, where they currently have a herd of cattle, goats, and sheep. However, they faced challenges with the source of water as their well was not able to sustain the needs they had on the farm. By the time Sr Caroline, Sr Francesca, and Sr Magaret were joining the social innovation session conducted by Dr Freddie Acosta, one of the trainers on the Sister Blended Value Project, they had contemplated expanding their animal husbandry project by adding to their flock cattle and goats in their Luiri farm. Additionally, the sisters had also thought of diversifying their farming on the Ndekeo farm from maize and beans to fruits but were not sure of how to go about it. Coincidentally, one of the catholic brothers from the Diocese had introduced them to grapefruit farming but the project did not do well so they had to abandon it. This time round they were determined to find an idea they could pursue and when they learned about dragon fruit farming, its benefits, and promising returns from Dr Acosta, who was a renowned farmer and beneficiary farming the fruit cuttings they were determined to pursue the idea. By the time of the visit, the dragon fruits were eleven months old and showing some signs of fruiting at their Luiri Farm. Also, they diversified into fruit farming and planted passion fruits on their Ndekeo farm. However, despite the progress they had made, the team faced several challenges. In addition to water shortages protracted drought and the cost of inputs for planting and maintenance of the dragon fruits, the others include communication with the community and convincing them that dragon fruit farming is lucrative and rewarding, lack of experience from the sisters in growing dragon fruits, the distance of the farm affecting monitoring and progress, the further long period it takes for the fruit to grow before seeing the fruits (returns). The question remains will the sisters succeed in transforming their social missionary work into sustainable social enterprises to enable them to enhance their charism of serving the underprivileged women, youth, and children in the community? 

Complexity/ Academic level

This case is suitable for courses in entrepreneurship, strategy, and general management. It can be used in exploring topics such as opportunity recognition, venture creation, social mission, stakeholder engagement, entrepreneurial skills, capabilities, etc. 

Supplementary Materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Keywords

Social entrepreneurship, Opportunity recognition and Strategic transformation.

Citation

Ndunge, A., Murithi, W., & Njiraini, N. (2024). Blessed Hand Organic Farm: Dragon Fruit Farming in Meru County. In Strathmore Africa Case Center. Strathmore Africa Case Centre. https://doi.org/10.70268/sacc-10-24-29

Publisher: Strathmore Africa Case Centre

Copyright © 2024, Strathmore Africa Case Centre

Category : Case

Author : William Murithi,Angela Ndunge, Nancy Njiraini

Publisher : Strathmore University

Document ID : SACC-10-24-29